“No New Suspicions” Against Austria’s Hannes Reichelt in Doping Investigation
After being implicated in Austrian doping investigation “Operation Aderlass,” Austrian speed star and 2015 World Champion in super-G, Hannes Reichelt, has not been further incriminated in the case according to Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung.
Reichelt was questioned by Austrian authorities in May after cross-country athlete Johannes Duerr testified that former cross-country coach Gerald Heigl and Reichelt were involved in the scandal. Heigl and Reichelt are childhood friends and Heigl has written summer training plans for the alpine star in the past. Reichelt is the only alpine athlete that has been involved in the scandal.
Reichelt has maintained his innocence throughout the process but the investigation into Reichelt and the other athletes will continue.
Heigl has also been released from custody, according to authorities.
“There have been no further incriminating suspicions against Reichelt in the interrogations,” said prosecution spokesperson Hansjorg Mayr.
Authorities reportedly are in possession of two of Reichelt’s mobile phones and have three months to analyze the data for further evidence in the case.